WawonaNews.com - November 2013

WAWONA HOTEL AND GENERAL STORE IN YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK REOPENS TODAY

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, Calif., October 12, 2013 — The Wawona Hotel and the Wawona General Store operated by Delaware North Companies (DNC) Parks & Resorts at Yosemite will reopen to the public today, October 12, 2013. The government shutdown remains in effect; however, hotels and restaurants that are located on through roads in national parks can reopen. Yosemite National Park remains closed and all facilities in Yosemite Valley are closed. “The government shutdown has been impacting thousands of Yosemite visitors and employees in the region, and we are thrilled to be able to offer some of our services again,” said DNC Parks & Resorts at Yosemite President Dan Jensen. “Fall is a great time to enjoy a visit to the Wawona Hotel and we look forward to an end to the shutdown, so we can reopen all of our services to park visitors.” Founded in 1856, the Wawona Hotel offers guests a beautiful, tranquil setting amidst its historic white wooden buildings, rolling green lawns and lush pine and cedar forested grounds. In the evenings, guests can listen to vintage music and hear stories of Yosemite’s past with local historian, singer and pianist Tom Bopp. Also, there are numerous activities available to guests in the surrounding areas of Wawona. The Wawona Golf Course, Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, hiking trails in the park and all services and hotels in Yosemite Valley remain closed due to the government shutdown. For more information or to make a reservation, please visit www.YosemitePark.com or call (801) 559-4949.

National parks in at least four states could soon reopen

By Devin Dwyer@devindwyerFollow on Twitter Oct 10, 2013 2:59pm National parks in at least four states could soon reopen to visitors during the government shutdown. Concerned about the shutdown’s impact on the tourism industry, the governors of Utah, South Dakota, Arizona and Colorado have asked the Obama administration to allow them to foot the bill to return their states’ parks to normal operations.House GOP Embracing 6-Week Debt Limit Hike but Shutdown Persists Interior Secretary Sally Jewell today responded positively to the request, pledging to “consider agreements” with the governors to help circumvent a lapse in federal appropriations. She also personally called several governors to discuss the issue, ABC News has learned. “The Interior Department will begin conversations about how to proceed as expeditiously as current limited resources allow,” Interior Department spokesman Blake Androff said in a statement to ABC News. “We continue to call on Congress to act swiftly to enact appropriations for the entire government so that we can re-open all 401 national parks for the American people,” he said. The department gave no estimate for when exactly the parks might return to business. Administration officials say the parks would remain under federal government control but be funded through by the state. All 401 national parks have been shut to visitors since Oct. 1, and more than 20,000 National Park Service employees have been furloughed without pay from their jobs. The closures have also hurt many local communities and businesses that rely on tourism to survive. “This is major news for the Grand Canyon National Park and the many other national parks and monuments in my district and across Arizona,” Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, D-Ariz., said. “These destinations bring millions of dollars into our local economy, which has taken a tremendous direct hit during the shutdown.” The Coalition of National Park Service Retirees estimates that more than 7 million visitors have been turned away from all 401 parks during the government shutdown so far, costing $76 million a day in lost revenue for the parks and local economies.ABC News’ John Parkinson and Arlette Saenz contributed to this report.

Help Protect Our Wildlife

Be on the look out for wildlife along and near park roads. In October and November, acorns and other natural foods draw bears and other wildlife to roadsides. Recently, a sow and her two cubs were foraging near the Wawona Road and deer are also spending time within a few feet of roadways.

Traffic Updates

Expect delays in the Wawona Tunnel as work crews complete safety improvements. Starting this Sunday night, October 13, thru traffic should expect 30-minute delays between 8:00 pm and 10:00 pm, 2-hour traffic delays between 10:00 pm and 6:00 am, and 15-minute delays between 6:00 am and 8:00 pm. The delays will include single lane traffic control with pilot car operations escorting traffic thru the construction zone. Also - at the South Entrance - Yosemite thru-travelers should expect intermittent delays of up to 15 minutes with either a flagger and/or pilot car. Please drive slowly thru all construction areas.

Tioga Pass Temporarily Closes today, October 8, at 6 PM

There is winter weather advisory for the Sierra Mountains above 6,000 feet. Forecasters predict snow accumulations between 2-5 inches and wind gusts up to 50 MPH between late tonight and Thursday morning. The bulk of the precipitation will occur Wednesday afternoon and Wednesday evening in Yosemite National Park. In anticipation of compact snow and ice on the road, which will create treacherous driving conditions, Crane Flat to Tioga Pass will be closed today at 6. PM. NPS work crews will reassess the road conditions after the storm and reopen as soon as possible when conditions are safe for drivers. Warmer and drier conditions are predicted for Friday and Saturday.

Oldest Full-Time Park Ranger, Betty Reid Soskin, Furloughed

Many federal workers furloughed because of the government shutdown are upset about the regular paychecks they haven't been getting. But Park Ranger Betty Reid Soskin is disgusted for a different reason: She says she's running out of time. At 92, the San Francisco Bay Area woman is the nation's oldest full-time national park ranger. On Monday, she told NBC Bay Area that she is "thoroughly confused" as to why she has had to leave her job and remain "idle" at home. Understanding that Republicans are demanding to defund "Obamacare" in exchange for essential federal funding -- a deal the White House and Democrats refused -- just irks Soskin more. "At this stage of my career, I have a sense of urgency," Soskin said from her home in San Pablo, Calif., about 20 miles northeast of San Francisco. "This is my last decade, and I can't afford to have anyone waste my time." Soskin was among the roughly 800,000 federal workers furloughed on Oct. 1 at midnight when the government partially shut down. For the last seven years, she has worked three days a week giving tours at the Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park in Richmond, Calif., and two days a week at park administrative offices. During her birthday week last month when she turned 92, Soskin was up in a cherry picker, checking out the peeling bark of a giant eucalyptus, something she wrote about on her blog. The park service confirmed she is the country's oldest full-time ranger, though there is a 93-year-old ranger at Glacier National Park in Kintla Lake, Mont., who is a seasonal employee.

Like her, Soskin said, the aging Rosies know this is their last decade of life, and being held up by government is certainly not on their bucket list. "All these Rosies are coming in for the reunion," Soskin said. "And these women are between 85 and 95."So, Soskin said, the folks in Washington, D.C., better hurry up and get their acts together. U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-Richmond), agrees. In a statement, he said he has known Soskin for 40 years, and thinks it's a shame she isn't working. Soskin "is an icon to the National Park Service," Miller said. "She’s a historian, a spokeswoman, a role

role model, a teacher, and an embodiment of the spirit of Rosie the Riveter. Only something as wrongheaded and misguided as this government shutdown could keep her off the job.“ For her part, Soskin wants to get back to work. The clock is ticking. "I've only got a finite amount of time," she said, "to make my contribution."Haven Daley from the Associated Press contributed to this report.

Only Through-Traffic Allowed

YOSEMITE - Travelers to Yosemite National Park will be able to pass through, but there will be no access to the valley and no services, as the federal government shuts down until a new budget is passed. Motorists will be able to head through the park on their way to Lee Vining, El Portal and Highway 120, but will be diverted at the El Capitan cutoff, and not allowed to enter the valley. Park employees are working on the shut-down, and they will all be required to leave by Thursday, according to YNP spokesperson Cari Cobb. Campsites and hotels will be closed, and all non-essential personnel will be furloughed. Law enforcement and other vital employees will remain. Travelers through the park will not be allowed to stop and recreate, including picnicking, photographing, hiking, etc. In a search for more detailed information, a visit to the park website, www.nps.gov, brought up this message - Because of the federal government shutdown, all national parks are closed and National Park Service webpages are not operating. For more information, go to www.doi.gov. We will update as more information becomes available.

Government Shutdown Closes Yosemite National Park

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The government shut down means Yosemite and other national parks will be closed until a new budget is passed. Tourists who traveled Yosemite National Park from all over the world are wondering what will happen to their vacation. Many have already paid for tours that are cancelled since these gates will let very few people through, until the government starts up again. The Clark-Moore family from San Jose set up camp for the night Monday, knowing they won't be able to stay for the length of their five day reservation. "Bummer, bummer that our government can't get it together, enough, this is just a recreational thing it interferes with. I think about all the people who have much more serious situations," said Laura Clark-Moore. All non-essential workers in Yosemite will be furloughed until a new budget is passed in Washington, D.C. Law enforcement and utility crews will still be on-the-clock. Campsites, and places like the Wawona Hotel will also shut down. Officials say park visitors will be given 48 hours to leave now that Yosemite is closed. Arnie Benton hopes to camp in the park until Wednesday. "We had breakfast at the Ahwahnee hotel this morning," said Benton of Emeryville. "Our waiter was talking about it, joking that he might be off the next few days depending on how the shutdown shakes out." The closure comes at a slow time for the park. October sees an average of 325,000 visitors, about 9 percent of yearly totals. Grace and Jerry Bird are visiting the park from Boston, Massachusetts. They're not too worried about losing their $75 tour reservations they're more concerned for international visitors. "I don't know how easy it is to understand how our government can just say I'm sorry we're shutting down," Grace said. "But it's too bad, because we've run into people from all over the world here in the last day," Jerry added. "For that, if you came all the way from Japan or Germany, that would be a shame." Signs will soon be posted around the Yosemite Valley to warn visitors they have less than two days to leave. The only people who will be let into the park will be those driving through to another destination. There may be a chance for tourists to be refunded for their cancelled vacations. Park officials say how that will work is still unclear.

Yosemite Shuts Down

Dear Lodging Partners and Mariposa County Citizens:

The shutdown of Yosemite National Park has occurred Tuesday morning as feared. Although we do not have complete information yet on the actual process the NPS has taken to shut down the Park, we do know the following:

· Visitors passing through the Park to reach another destination (i.e. Mammoth Lakes, Tahoe, etc.) will be able to do so on a designated "thruway" such as Hwy. 120 or 41. Stopping or recreating will be prohibited.

· Visitors with reservations at NPS campgrounds and Delaware North lodging facilities will be turned away. Visitors already in the Park at such facilities will be provided 48 hours to exit the Park. ANYONE needing assistance with alternative accommodation arrangements can be referred to the Mariposa County Visitors Center at 1-866-425-3366. They will have additional staff on hand to provide assistance.

· We are led to believe that visitors with reservations in private facilities such as vacation homes or bed and breakfast inns in Yosemite West, Foresta or Wawona will be able to access the respective facility via the "thruways" indicated but that no recreation services or transportation services outside these areas will be available. Visitation to traditional tourist areas such as Glacier Point, Mariposa Grove, etc. will NOT be permitted.

· Only essential NPS personnel will be kept on duty during the shutdown. This includes appropriated public safety and critical operations staff.

The YMCTB will monitor the situation and provide updates whenever possible. In cooperation with the Mariposa County Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center, we are preparing a Top Things To Do in Mariposa County (that do not involve Yosemite National Park) list of suggestions to post on our website, our Trip Advisor page, Facebook page and to publicize through a press release to entice visitors to keep their reservations and to explore more of Mariposa County. We will distribute a copy first thing in the morning should the shutdown actually occur.

We hope this bulletin is helpful to you and your guests. If you need further assistance or have questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

August 2013 Visitors By Auto to Yosemite National Park Declines 18% Due to the Rim Fire

Sierra Sun Times- Thursday, September 26, 2013 With the closure of Highway 120 into Yosemite National Park due to the Rim Fire the August 2013 numbers for the Big Oak Flat Entrance are down while the Arch Rock Entrance (Mariposa) had an increase as travelers were detoured from Highway 120 to Highway 140 to enter the park.

The Arch Rock Entrance Station (Mariposa -Highway 140) had a increase of visitors by auto of 12.1% compared to August 2012. Year to date numbers show a decrease of visitors by auto of .2%

The Big Oak Flat Entrance Station (Groveland - Highway 120) had a decrease of visitors by auto of 62.4% compared to August 2012. Year to date numbers show a decrease of visitors by auto of 13.5%

The South Entrance (Oakhurst - Highway 41) had a slight decrease of visitors by auto of .1% compared to August 2012. Year to date numbers show a increase of visitors by auto of 1.4%

The total visitors by auto to Yosemite National Park for August 2013 was down 17.9% compared to August 2012. Year to date numbers show a decrease of visitors by auto of 5.0%

South Entrance Construction Continues (with delays up to 15 minutes)

Starting tonight 9/25/13 around South Entrance crews will commence grinding up the existing Wawona Road, so please be aware there will be heavy equipment and truck traffic working on the existing Wawona Road over the next 4-weeks, with up to 15 minute traffic delays. The nighttime crews will be working from 8:00 PM to 6:30 AM with flaggers and pilot car operations. There will also be intermittent daytime delays as crews are working on each side of the existing Wawona Road. This project replaces the existing temporary fee collection booths with three new fee collection booths approximately 350-ft. south of the the current location. Please be aware the Wawona Road conditions will be unpaved with numerous workers and equipment, so be cautious when driving thru this area and remind employees and vendors to observe the posted 20 MPH speed limit around the South Entrance Station area. (M. Pieper)